‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling is one of his most famous poems, celebrated for its timeless wisdom and practical life lessons.

Written in 1895 and published in 1910 as part of Rewards and Fairies, the poem is structured as a paternal piece of advice from a father to his son on how to navigate life with integrity, resilience, and humility.

The poem captures the essence of stoicism, self-control, and moral fortitude. Kipling, who lost his only son on the battlefields of World War I (1914-1918) outlines various virtues and challenges, illustrating how balance, self-belief, and grace under pressure are essential for personal growth and success. The universal values presented in the poem have made it a source of inspiration across generations.

The poem consists of four stanzas, each offering advice on how to deal with life’s uncertainties and challenges:

1. The first stanza emphasizes staying calm under pressure, trusting oneself when doubted, and being patient and truthful in adversity.

2. The second stanza advises handling both success and failure with detachment and not being consumed by either.

3. The third stanza highlights the importance of perseverance, risk-taking, and dedication to one’s goals, even in the face of setbacks.

4. The final stanza concludes with a call to treat all people equally, maintain humility, and live a balanced life. It culminates in the ultimate reward: becoming a ‘Man’ in the fullest sense of the word.

My mother explained that at the turn of the 20th Century, there was hardly a home in Britain not displaying a framed setting to IF in the hallway or living room. MICHAEL WALSH.

IF

.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

.

If you can dream, and not make dreams your master;

If you can think, and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings, nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And, which is more, you’ll be a Man, my son!

FORTY SHADES OF VERSE by Michael Walsh in legend, verse and stories provides the enigmatic mirror image of the ancient Irish Nation. The Bard of Ireland’s illustrated verse crosses frontiers. The award-winning poet’s Irish blood alchemy reveals Ireland’s soul, its yearning for peace, love, justice, hope, charity and romance. LINK TO BOOK https://tinyurl.com/bdhd6fy8